University of South Dakota Athletics

Pierce McDowell, described as one of the great field generals in Coyote football history, earned all North Central Conference recognition in 1923. A team captain in 1924 for South Dakota, he excelled at throwing, passing, and kicking the football. Later, he was an assistant coach for the Coyotes (1925). A prep star at Washington High School in Sioux Falls before enrolling at USD in 1921, McDowell was considered by many to be "the greatest gridiron leader." A life-long resident of Sioux Falls, McDowell served as one of the city's leaders, serving on the Board of Directors of serveral corporations and was an active in Chamber of Commerce projects, and president of the Crippled Children's Hospital and School.